Sports Mole previews Sunday's Major League Soccer clash between Austin FC and San Jose Earthquakes, including predictions, team news and possible lineups.

San Jose Earthquakes will be aiming to snap their five-game winless run across all competitions when they take a trip to the Q2 Stadium to face Austin FC on Saturday.

Josh Wolff's men will head into the weekend looking to get one over the Goonies, having failed to win any of the last four meetings between the teams.

Match preview

Austin FC forward Sebastian Driussi (7) celebrates his goal after scoring on a penalty kick against Atlas FC at Q2 Stadium on February 16, 2022 © Reuters

Austin FC maintained their sensational run of results away from home as they claimed a 2-0 victory against 10-man Sporting Kansas City at the Children's Mercy Park last Sunday.

In a game where Cameron Duke received his marching orders, Alexander Ring netted on the stroke of half time to put the visitors up heading into the break before Sebastian Driussi made sure of the results with a 90th-minute strike.

Wolff's side are now unbeaten in each of their most recent six away games in the MLS, claiming an impressive five wins while holding out for a 1-1 draw at FC Dallas on July 17.

Austin FC now return to their home turf where they have managed just one win in their last six outings across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing three games in that time.

With 44 points from 23 games, Austin FC are currently second in the Western Conference standings, four points off first-placed Los Angeles FC, who have one game in hand.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Cade Cowell (44) celebrates with midfielder Niko Tsakiris (30) after scoring a goal against the Austin FC during the second half at PayPal Park on April 3, 2022 © Reuters

Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes continue to struggle for results in the MLS as they were condemned to a 1-0 defeat at the hands of Inter Miami last time out.

Despite being on the back foot for most of the games, Jean Mota's 12th-minute strike was enough to separate the sides at the PayPal Park as the Herons ended their run of three consecutive games without a win.

Alex Covelo's side have now failed to taste victory in each of their last five outings across all competitions, picking up two draws and losing three games since a 3-2 win away to LA Galaxy on July 14.

The Goonies have now picked up five wins, eight draws and lost 10 of their 23 games so far to collect 23 points and sit bottom but one in the Western Conference table, three points above rock-bottom Sporting Kansas City.

They will fancy their chances of arresting their slump as they head into the weekend unbeaten in each of their previous four games against Saturday's hosts, claiming two wins and two draws since their first encounter in June 2021.

However, San Jose Earthquakes have managed just one win in their last eight games on the road across all competitions, losing four and claiming three draws while scoring 11 goals and shipping 16 in that time.

Austin FC Major League Soccer form:

San Jose Earthquakes Major League Soccer form:

San Jose Earthquakes form (all competitions):

Team News

Austin FC forward Maximiliano Urruti (37) celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the San Jose Earthquakes during the first half at PayPal Park on April 2, 2022 © Reuters

Austin FC will take to the pitch without the defensive duo of Hector Jimenez and Freddy Kleemann, who are currently recuperating from groin and ACL injuries respectively.

They are joined on the club's injury table by Colombian midfielder Jhojan Valencia after the 26-year-old sustained a knee injury in May's 2-1 victory over Los Angeles FC.

Driussi has been a star performer in the MLS, where he leads the league's scoring charts with 14 goals in 23 appearances, and the former Zenit striker should spearhead the hosts' attack once again.

Meanwhile, San Jose Earthquakes will have to cope without 22-year-old midfielder Siad Haji, who is set to sit out his fourth straight game through a groin injury.

George Asomani and American youngster Gilbert Fuentes both continue their long spells on the sidelines through hip and knee injuries respectively and are out of contention for this weekend's encounter.

Austin FC possible starting lineup:
Stuver; Lima, Gabrielsen, Cascante, Gallagher; Pereira, Ring, Urruti; Driussi, Finlay, Fagundez

San Jose Earthquakes possible starting lineup:
Marcinkowski; Thompson, Beason, Cardoso, Lopez; Yueill, Remedi, Monteiro; Espinoza, Kikanovic, Ebobisse

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We say: Austin FC 3-1 San Jose Earthquakes

While San Jose Earthquakes will be looking to end their winless run, next up is the stern test of facing an opposing side who are unbeaten in eight of their last nine games. We are backing Wolff's side to build on Sunday's win over the Wizards and claim all three points this weekend.

For data analysis of the most likely results, scorelines and more for this match please click here.